It’s time again for another round up of things I’m loving lately. There’s so much vegan love to go around, so little time!
Hip, hip, hooray for…
1. Bare English & Co. Coco-Mint Lip Balm
Oh my, this lip balm is incredible. Not only does it keep my lips super moisturized (think body butter for your lips), but it’s tea-infused, organic, and vegan, made right here in Toronto! I spotted it at Organic Garage and you can find their list of store locations on their website.
Lip Balm runner up: HURRAW! Lip Balm (also fantastic)
2. Wide Mouth Funnel
This wide mouth funnel is from Lee Valley and it’s perfect for filling up my mason jars. It also comes with an attachment to make a smaller funnel width. Finally, an easier way to fill up those jars! Thanks to Eric for the thoughtful Lee Valley gifts. :)
3. Narrow Measuring Spoons
I’ve needed measuring spoons that are narrow enough to fit in spice jars for a while now. These beauties from Lee Valley do the job perfectly.
4. Beanfield’s Bean & Rice Chips
This was in the VVC swag bag and it was love at first crunch. I promptly inhaled the bag like a chip monster. They are vegan, corn-free (which is almost impossible to find when it comes to chips!), gluten-free, and have a decent amount of fibre and protein. Now I just have to try and locate them around here…
5. JJ’s Sweets Cocomels
JJ’s Sweets, hailing from Boulder, makes these tasty vegan “cocomels” with a base of coconut milk and other goodies. Not something I would eat frequently, but they are fun for a treat. I purchased these from Food Fight in Portland (see below).
6. Kure Juice Bar (Portland)
I squeezed in 3 visits here during my very short stay in Portland. I’m kind of obsessed with the place and the super friendly staff. Kure Juice Bar features fresh juice, smoothies, power shots, and acai bowls! What more could a guy or gal need?
7. Portobello restaurant (Portland)
My trip buddies Hannah, Lisa, Nicole, and I dined at vegan restaurant Portobello on Friday night. I had the cauliflower “steak” entrée served with a chickpea croquette, fennel, and tangy Chimichurri sauce. Absolute perfection!
8. Prasad (Portland)
I dined at Prasad once during my stay, but I would’ve loved to go back to sample more of the menu. Everything sounded right up my alley. Prasad features breakfast, soups, greens, bowls, smoothies, and wraps. You can just feel the love oozing out of this place as soon as you walk in. I had one of their delicious grains, greens, & beans bowls and it was the perfect comfort food on a rainy day.
9. White Owl Social Club (Portland)
A group of us went to the White Owl on Friday night to kick back and relax. White Owl has many vegan options on the menu (see Build Your Own S’mores below!) and they try to source as many products from local distilleries, wineries, and breweries as possible. A bit too chilly for the large outdoor patio, we cozied up in a roomy indoor booth for most of the night. Lovely atmosphere!
10. Food Fight Grocery Store (Portland)
This is an all-vegan grocery store in Portland. We laughed, we cried, and we drooled. I also stopped into Herbivore Clothing and bought myself a cute tee!
11. Allison’s Gourmet Vegan Toffee
This was my favourite treat in the VVC swag bag – and perhaps, one of the best vegan candies I’ve ever tasted. I know, I know I say that all the time, but this stuff is the real deal. It was my first time trying any of Allison’s Gourmet products and I have to say I was blown away by the quality and flavour. I can’t wait to try more. Thanks Allison!
Man, I really wish I had some of that toffee left. Unreal!
Hi Angela! Thanks so much for mentioning our toffee in your post. Abso thrilled you loved it so! Your blog is gorgeous and how the heck did we not meet?! xo
I know, I can’t believe our paths didn’t cross – next time for sure! Thanks for the yummy sample :)
Thanks for this list. Who knew Lee Valley had a wide mouth funnel and narrow measuring spoons? Both on my list to get now. I thought they just had tools!
And we are driving through Portland this summer so will definitely have to check out some of these places especially Food Fight :)
Oh, those lip balms sound incredible — I’m a bona-fide lip balm/chap stick addict, so I’m going to have to keep an eye out for this stuff. :)
I love all the Portland establishments, too — they sound fantastic!
I don’t know if someone has already posted a place to find those chips, but they have them at Rabbit Food Grocery and you can order them online!
http://www.rabbitfoodgrocery.com/category_s/1814.htm
Hi Angela, I live in Dayton, Ohio. Opened my krogers (grocery store) coupon mailer, and guess who was inside, with recipes….YOU! I was so excited, I had to show my husband. Congrats! Did you know you would be featured? I can send you pics of you in the flyer if you like, send me your email address.
Vegan Love!
Kim
Meant to add, Been following you and making your recipes for 2 years now. My DH and I have green monsters everyday, use em as a meal replacement. Thanks for all your awesome recipes, keep em coming….
Kim
Wow, 2 years? That is fantastic! thanks for trying out so many recipes :)
Hey Kim! yay, so glad you saw it! I was so happy to be featured in there and I hope to see it soon :) I think they will send me some, but if not, I may have to take you up on your offer! hah. Thanks for your support :)
Just saw that your cashew cream was quoted in the May2013 edition of Women’s Health magazine. Congrats! Nice to see a Canadian girl represented. Love your blog and happy to see you getting more recognition and press.
Oh ya and I forgot to mention that I’m totally going to buy that wide mouth funnel from Lee Valley
great ideas Angela! And I had no idea Portland had so much to offer – makes me want to get there!
Love the wide mouth funnel – I had one which somehow got lost – and I am always needing it – have had a hard time finding another one – so thank you.
Glad you had such an energizing and inspiring experience at the conference :)
Oh my gosh! My sister and I went to Prasad when we were in Portland 2 weeks ago and loved it. I wish I had brought my yoga clothes to take a class!
me too :) so cool u got to go there too!
Hello Angela,
I was looking for a Vegan blog and found yours. You would not believe that I was so hooked that I started from the very last page of this blog to the first! I may sound like a crazy stalked but believe me I am not ;).
Being an Indian, it was really hard to become a Vegan. We have this firm belief that without milk you are depriving yourself of health! Your blog has been a great support system for me and you have helped me a lot with great cooking ideas.
It was a nice surprise to see Lentils, Rajma and Dal makhni on your blog :).
Take care!
Hi Shivangi, Aw thank you for such a lovely note! That means so much to me. :) Take care, angela
Oooh, now I’m begging for a trip to Portland! Looks like such a veg-friendsly city!
Wow Portland sounds amazing for vegans!! Those cocomels look delicious, are they sold in Canada?
That counter-top is great for photographs!
What kind of material is it, and is it in a kitchen?
Hi Bill, It’s a tile slab that my husband picked up from me (a scrap piece) :)
Just finding your blog and LOVING it! Your recipes look AMAZING! Can’t wait to try them all!!!
Living in England I can not try out most of your 11 things but they made interesting reading and now Portland has been added to my very long list of places to go. I LOVED your photo of the narrow measuring spoons. Your photography has become so professional. That photo could be in a magazine for sure.
After my trip to Seattle in the spring, I wished I had more time to spend in the PNW — your post makes me want to visit Portland now (more than ever). Thanks for the cool tips on the Lee Valley measuring spoons — I’ve been on the hunt a good set and this just may do the trick!
You found the most amazing things. The narrow measuring spoons are my favorite! How annoying is it when you make a mess and waste so many spices with wide spoons!?
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
xo
Sharon
Oh wow, Portland sounds like somewhere I need to put on my bucket list to visit! I had a friend who told me all about it, but until I saw your photos and read about the different healthy vegan restaurants, I had no idea! I stopped eating meat at the beginning of the year and have been gluten-free since last year May and I’ve never felt better!! So glad I stumbled across your blog today. :)
Angela you can get the Beanfield’s chips at both of the larger Organic food stores on Kensington St. in Kensington Market! They have a few different flavors! Summer = chips and salsa :-)
Why can’t all measuring spoons be narrow? Brilliant!